Dec. 2nd, 2009
Travis Dowlin loves the game and he loves a fight. Put the two together
and you have a tough battler who is “enjoying every minute”
on the cricket field. The 32-year-old took the long route to international
cricket but after waiting for over a decade for a call-up he got his
first chance five months ago and has decided to make “every
moment count”.

Travis Dowlin
in action. Photo by Gordon Brooks/Digicelcricket.com

He played
well in the first Test against Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane
last week and said he is looking forward to the second Test at the
Adelaide Oval on Friday. First ball is 10.30 am (Thursday 8 pm Eastern
Caribbean Time/7 pm Jamaica Time).

“I never
thought I would play Test cricket … now that I’m here
I’m relishing every moment. The chance came along and I’ve
decided to take it one day at a time and make every moment count.
I’m enjoying every minute. I am supported by everyone around
and I am happy to be in the West Indies team.”

The closest he came to international status was
as emergency fielder for the West Indies during international matches
in Guyana. In 2008 he fielded as substitute against Sri Lanka and
held two brilliant catches close to the wicket.
In the first Test against Australia at the Gabba, he held the West
Indies first innings together with a resolute 62 from 150 balls
in close to four hours at the crease. It was a typical innings –
back-to-the-wall and fighting and was last man out. He described
it as “character building”.

“It was good to get some runs behind my name
and make a positive contribution to the team. I focus on my role
and I always try to play to my strengths. I just look to do my stuff
and I know my job is to bat and bat and score runs. I was a bit
disappointed with the way I got out. That is something to work on
in the coming days leading up to the second Test,” Dowlin
said.

“If I am selected for Adelaide I am eager
to go out there and do my job again. Wearing the maroon fills me
with pride so I will be looking to make another major contribution.
I play every game like it is my last so I will be giving 100 percent.
This is Test cricket and it will always be tough. We spoke about
this being a hard series and it is something we discussed at length
in team meetings. I’m prepared mentally and physically for
the challenge. We’ve spoken about a few things, we just need
to improve our all-round cricket. It’ll be tough, it won’t
be easy but obviously we are committed to the task. We definitely
believe we can win.”